Kamaru Usman defeats Joaquin Buckley: Nigerian Nightmare gets 1st UFC win since 2021

Kamaru Usman made a triumphant return to the octagon at UFC Atlanta, securing a decisive victory over Joaquin Buckley in a welterweight bout.

The fight, held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, marked Usman's first win since 2021.

It was a resurgence in his career following a challenging period that included the loss of his UFC Welterweight Championship to Leon Edwards in 2023 and a defeat by Khamzat Chimaev in 2024.

Ahead of the fight, Usman was honored with a custom Atlanta United jersey.

Known as "The Nigerian Nightmare," Usman entered the fight with a record of 20-4, facing Buckley, a rising star in the welterweight division with a record of 19-6.

From the opening bell, Usman demonstrated his trademark wrestling and striking combination, dominating the early rounds with his superior control.

Despite Buckley's efforts to turn the tide with his powerful kicks and counterstrikes, Usman remained unfazed, leveraging his wrestling background to secure takedowns and control the fight on the ground.

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The judges' scorecards reflected Usman's dominance, with a unanimous decision in his favor across all five rounds, scored as 48-47, 49-46, and 49-46.

This comprehensive victory not only silenced his detractors but also reignited discussions about his place in the welterweight division.

The win positions Usman as a formidable contender once again, potentially setting the stage for a rematch with current champion Belal Muhammad or other top contenders like Shavkat Rakhmonov.